Abu Dhabi to get its first commercial-scale waste-to-SAF facility: Mubadala-owned renewables giant Masdar has inked a joint development agreement with ADQ-listed waste treatment firm Tadweer to develop Abu Dhabi’s first commercial-scale waste-to-sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) project, according to a statement. The new facility will use a hybrid production method, combining renewable energy-powered electrolysis to convert nearly 500k tons of waste per annum into SAF.

The UAE is looking to produce some 700 mn liters of SAF annually by 2031 in a bid to position itself as a regional hub for low-carbon aviation fuel. On a global level, SAF production is projected to hit 18.1 mn metric tons (c. 22.6 bn liters when converted on the assumption of SAF density of 0.8 kg/liter) by 2035 — falling short of forecasted demand by over 23 mn metric tons, according to data from S&P Global.

A big month for SAF in the UAE…: Enoc inked an MoU with Emirates Airlines to explore and establish joint ventures for the supply of SAF in the UAE, as well as another MoU with Mercantile & Maritime Group’s subsidiary MENA Biofuels to explore collaborating on SAF offtake, supply, and distribution. MENA Biofuels also began construction of the UAE’s first commercial SAF plant in the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone — which is set to produce around 250 mn liters of SAF annually when the project’s two phases are completed.

…to close off a big year: Lootah Biofuels began supplying SAF in the UAE market in September. Dubai-based sustainable aviation fuel developer SAF One Energy Management (SAF One) inked an MoU with Airbus to advance the adoption of SAF in the aviation industry earlier in February.

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